Esko Football Sets State Record In Friday’s 63-49 Win

Max Reinertsen eludes defenders in a game against Duluth Marshall earlier this season.
Chris Shevich-NSO file

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Oct 11

Wes Vork-NSO

A lot of different words have been used to describe Friday’s football game between Esko and Deer River, which
the Eskomos
won 63-49. The words Thrilling, Exciting, and Breathtaking, were tossed around just to name a few. Now you can add one more descriptive word to that list, record setting. The record for most points scored by both teams was broken and another was tied.

The previous record for combined points in a game was set back in 2000 by Champlin Park (61) and Elk River Area (50) with 111 total points. The Esko vs. Deer River game saw a total of 112 points scored.

Individually, junior quarterback Max Reinertsen scored seven rushing touchdowns and passed for one more for a total of eight total touchdowns in a game. That tied a 44 year old record set by Jerry Simonson of Franklin (vs. Echo) in 1966. Simonson’s touchdowns were all rushing, putting him at the top of the rushing category also, while Reinertsen’s seven rushing td’s places him in a five way tie for second on the single game rushing touchdown list.

Reinertsen also found his way into the third place spot in the record books with a total of 46 points scored in a single game, finishing just short of DeAngelo Brackins of International Falls. Brackins scored 50 points vs. Virginia in 2006. Simonson scored 49 in the 1966 game against Echo.

According to Howard Voigt, Director of Information for the Minnesota State High School League, who sought further clarification from the National Federation of State High School Associations; on a pass play that results in a touchdown, the passer is credited with a passing touchdown, the receiver is credited with a receiving touchdown, and both are credited with the yardage. However, only the receiver is credited with the points, so while Reinertsen was involved in 56 of the teams 63 total points, he is awarded 46 points.

For his part however, Reinertsen is quick to pass along the credit to his teammates. “I had so much nice blocking that it was easy for me to walk in. Deer River was running a 3-4 defense and we were optioning off the end. They (the defense) were really flowing, which allowed for cutbacks.” Reinertsen also talked about the effort of the entire team. “We got some great downfield blocking also; someone was always hustling and taking out the safety.”

Reinertsen finished the evening with 22 carries for 283 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He was also 11 of 18 passing for 145 yards and a touchdown. In addition he ran for
two 2-point conversions and passed for two more.

Ask about the performance, Reinertsen said he had no idea about setting any records. Actually he did not initially realize the amount of points he was involved in. “I wasn’t keeping score, I was trying to help my team win the football game, it wasn’t until after the game when a teammate mentioned that I had rushed for seven touchdowns.”

Esko Head Football Coach Bill Hudspith agreed with Reinertsen’s assessment, telling NSO. “I think that Friday night’s offensive display was both a tremendous individual effort and a tremendous team effort. We were able to run the ball and throw it. Most of Max’s runs were off option-type plays set up by the strong running of Anderson, Lonetto, and Tollerud.”
Hudspith was also pleased with his football club playing hard to the very end, adding. “Being able to keep up our “intensity” was another key to our success, both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. For the game, the Eskomos were able to rack up 575 total yards in the win.

Reinertsen’s father Ric said the family was not aware of any record until they were contacted by Northland Sports Online. “We had not given it (single game records) a thought. I am very proud of my son, but what I
am happiest
about though is the points came within the flow of the game, rather than in a blowout. The team
was in a shootout and needed all of them.”

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com

Wes Vork-NSO File